Harley-Davidson entered the modern era in 1915, offering its 61 CI V-twin with a proper 3-speed gearbox and a primary-case clutch. One had the option of buying the old single-speed chain-drive, but the previous year’s 2-speed hub, a one-year-only option, was gone for good. Not all buyers trusted a gearbox on their motorcycle, and the extra expense of three gears might not seem worth it if you lived in the flatlands and had no large hills to climb, no great distance to travel and no real roads over which to ride, which defined the majority of the United States in 1915. But to anyone who wanted real performance from a motorcycle, the 1915 Harley-Davidson was legendarily robust, and flexible enough to ride literally anywhere.

A second innovation for 1915 was Harley-Davidson’s first automatic oil pump, which replaced a sight-glass in the oil line to ensure an oil supply to the motor. The automatic pump was a source of great peace of mind, and most riders never touched the new adjustable locknut that altered the oil flow to the crankshaft. That year, the oil tank was moved from the toolbox and into the left-side pannier tank, which hugged the top tubes of the frame. The vestigal hand-pump atop the gas tank was retained, although the plunger sported an “ingenious locking device ... to prevent meddlesome persons from amusing themselves by pumping the crank full of oil when the owner has left his machine standing.”

The 1915 twins were an altogether more-robust proposition, and 1915 was a watershed year for Harley-Davidson. They gained a 37-percent power increase over the 1914 models, using larger inlet valves, a larger intake manifold and a 1-inch crank-pin with a 3/8-inch-wider bearing surface. All the bearings were now made by Harley-Davidson, and the company claimed 29 refinements in a single year for the motor alone.

This 1915 Harley-Davidson Model 11F is the Cannonball Run favorite, having proved robust enough to cross America reliably, even 100 years after its manufacture. It is beautifully restored with acetylene lights and a magneto ignition, and hails from the Jack “The Bear” Coonrod Collection.

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Information found on the website is presented as advance information for the auction lot. Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Mecum Auction does not verify, warrant or guarantee this information. The lot and information presented at auction on the auction block supersedes any previous descriptions or information. Mecum is not responsible for information that may be changed or updated prior to the auction. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the lot at the auction site prior to the auction.